TEAM IN EXPRESS NEWS BUZZ FOR HANDLING THE ILLEGALLY COLLECTED SNAKES FOR SELLING

Express News Service
First Published : 07 Dec 2008 03:13:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 07 Dec 2008 12:03:35 PM IST
MADURAI: Five persons were arrested on Saturday by the Forest Department officials for attempting to sell a rare species of Red Sand Boa snake, popularly known as two headed snake because its stunted tail also looks like a head.
P Ramesh of Netaji Snake Trust of Usilampatthi, had received information on Saturday that snakes were being carried in sacks to be sold at Anna Nagar here and informed the Forest Department.
A team led by Balaji, district forest officer, arrived at the spot and after seizing the snake arrested Sultan, Malayan, Malaicamy, Kannan and Nayinar Mohamed of Sivaganga district.
The authorities said that the snake will be released into the forest.
Ramesh said among the reptiles, Sand Boas are quite rare and known as manian in Tamil. They are found in the forests of Madurai, Theni, Sivaganga, Dindigul, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram districts. Since this reptile is facing extinction, its capture and killing is banned.
He said, that these snakes are reared as pets in the US.
These snakes are 1.5 to 2 feet long and non-poisonous.
These reptiles are credited with medicinal qualities and therefore are much sought after, and are offered exorbitant prices.